From one central and comfortable base in Montefalco you will have the opportunity to experience the lifestyle and varied riches of Umbria. You will wander through local markets, delightful piazzas, enjoy a wine tasting of award winning wines and be brought face to face with a vibrant and attractive way of life that has deep roots in an ancient past while admiring the many architectural and artistic features that enrich the central Italian province of Umbria.

Guided  tours are organised to impressive locations within the towns where Etruscan arches, Roman architecture and Renaissance frescoes form a fascinating collage. The itinerary explores a region rich in an extraordinary wealth of history, art and some of the oldest architecture in Europe.

You will be staying at a beautiful estate located just outside the walls of the medieval hilltown of Montefalco. The accommodation is ideally situated for our visits to nearby towns and villages. The family owned property has been converted into high quality accommodation with twenty-two rooms, all with their own bathroom and private entrance. The rooms are air-conditioned, and the thick walls and shady trees keep the temperature pleasant even on hotter days. Meals are held in a pleasant dining room and there is a garden with swimming pool. and a stone terrace with spectacular views across the Valley of Umbria to Assisi, Trevi and Spoleto. This is often used as an outdoor eating area but is also a wonderful place to sit and read or just take in the sun.  The region also produces some of the finest wine and natural produce in Italy. The estate is still a working farm producing its own vegetables, wine and olive oil which are used to prepare the delicious simple meals that are such a feature of the tour. Dinner is usually at the accommodation unless otherwise described.

This is a preliminary itinerary. The program may be altered to accommodate seasonal variations and activities, including local festivals. However the essential content of the itinerary will remain the same and an updated version of the itinerary will be presented on arrival. B L D means that breakfast, lunch and/or dinner will be included that day.

Day 1    Sunday              Transfer to Montefalco                                             L D
You will be met outside the main entrance of Foligno railway station at 11.15 am, or a Foligno hotel (on request) and transferred to your accommodation near Montefalco arriving at approximately 12.00 noon. After lunch on the estate we walk up to the medieval town of Montefalco where you will be introduced to the art and history of the town. A wine tasting in the town's delightful piazza will be followed by dinner at the accommodation.

Day 2     Monday             Montefalco markets &  Spoleto                              B D
Today is market day in Montefalco and there is a walk around the town to take in the atmosphere. Leaving from the markets we travel to Spoleto, a town rich in Roman and medieval history. We explore the ancient Roman centre of the town including the Roman house and visit the Duomo to see Filippo Lippi's final fresco cycle.

Day 3     Tuesday             Bevagna  & Deruta                                                 B D
Down in the valley and just a short distance from Montefalco, Bevagna is one of Umbria's most evocative towns. The town contains Roman ruins and has a beautiful piazza encircled by three churches. There is some free time to enjoy the ambience of this delightful Umbrian town, and we visit a medieval house and roman mosaics as part of the guided exploration of this small gem. Later in the afternoon we travel to Deruta to explore the ceramics in this town of artisans since the middle ages.

Day 4     Wednesday       Perugia                                                                  B D
Perugia is Umbria’s largest town. Our guided tour includes a walk through the medieval ghost town under Rocca Paolina. The virtual underground city was a stroke of genius by the architect who was ordered to destroy the area. The tour also includes a visit to an Etruscan well and the extraordinary Etruscan gate from the 2^nd century BC. Free time for shopping and lunch.

Day 5    Thursday           Spello                                                                      B D
We travel to the delightful small hilltown of Spello and include a guided visit to the Baglioni Chapel decorated with superb frescoes by the Umbrian Renaissance master Pinturicchio. An optional walk along an ancient Roman aqueduct can be arranged or free time in the town to explore the labyrinth of floral decorated streets and modern art shops.

Day 6    Friday                Assisi                                                                     B D
We spend the day in Assisi, the home of St Francis, Italy's favourite saint. There is a guided walk available in the morning from the hermitage above Assisi or you can simply enjoy the time exploring the town. The afternoon includes a guided tour, including the Roman remains under the still-standing temple of Minerva, and the Basilica of San Francesco decorated with frescoes by Giotto.

Day 7     Saturday           Orvieto                                                                 B D
In the morning travel to Orvieto where there will be free time to visit the weekly markets and to explore the town centre with its fascinating array of shops, cafes and an award-winning gelateria. The day includes a guided visit to the Duomo, among the greatest of all Italy’s cathedrals, containing the work of Luca Signorelli. Cocktails and farewell dinner at the accommodation.

Day 8     Sunday             Departure                                                                B
On the last day of the tour you will be transferred to Foligno Station leaving the accommodation at 9am.

Secure a place by booking online now.

• Foligno station or Foligno hotel transfers

• All land travel by air-conditioned coach

• Accommodation for seven nights (1 day full board, 6 days half board )

• Dinner every night includes fresh local produce and local wines

• A wine tasting

• Guided visits in Montefalco, Spoleto, Bevagna, Deruta, Spello, Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto

• Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary

• The services of a tour leader throughout the tour

• Airfares

• Meals while visiting local towns are not included in the tour price. We have however carefully chosen a selection of local restaurants and negotiated very reasonable prices for generous set menus of regional specialities usually including excellent local wines. You will have the choice of making your own arrangements.

• Travel insurance (this is essential)

• Entry fees other than those specifically mentioned on the itinerary

• Taxi, or personal transport costs, phone calls or tips

• Wine outside of normal meals

• Laundry: This can be organised with the staff at the accommodation